One Year Down!

Posted December 19, 2018 by Sarah Callanan

I have officially completed my first year at Simmons! I started in Spring 2018, and I’ve just finished the Fall 2018 semester. I’ve completed all three of my core LIS classes- LIS 407 (Information Sources and Services), LIS 415 (Information Organization), and LIS 488 (Technology for Information Professionals). I’ve learned so much over the past year, and I’ve made such huge strides both personally and professionally. While the past year has been challenging at times, it has also been extremely rewarding. Here’s a quick wrap up of some of the lessons that I’ve learned and things that I have accomplished over the past year:

I’ve learned so much about search strategies and techniques, instruction, finding and evaluating information, the way information is organized, circulation and cataloguing, ethics and professional standards across the industry, and so much more, and I’ve been able to directly apply nearly everything that I’ve learned so far in my professional life.
I have learned that coding is an incredibly useful tool and it is not something to be feared. However, learning how to code is something that takes a lot of time and effort (at least for me).
I have gained so many technology skills- not just coding!
I have successfully learned how to use the public transportation system in Boston (commuter rail and the T) and I have taught other people how to use it!
I’ve started exploring and learning more about my new home of Massachusetts (I’m still working on exploring more though- even though it’s a small state there’s so much to explore!)
I got a job in an academic library!!!
I’ve learned that time management is everything.
I’ve learned that it’s okay if you don’t know what you want and your plan changes. If I don’t continue with Archives and instead switch to the Design Your Own concentration- it’ll be fine. If I do continue with Archives- it’ll be fine. Nothing is set in stone- there’s no need to worry.
I’ve learned that there are librarians everywhere and that you should be prepared for a networking opportunity at a moment’s notice- whether it be on a plane, at a wedding, at a family reunion, or in a restaurant (all of these have happened to me). Every semester I’ve gotten an email from the Student Service Center at SLIS offering free business cards, and I’ve either ignored it or forgotten about it, and every semester I have regretted not getting the business cards because I keep running in to networking opportunities and getting asked for business cards. I’m definitely getting them next semester.
I’ve learned the importance of getting involved. Even though I’ve only taken online classes so far at Simmons, I’ve been able to get involved in my own way. Some of the ways that I’ve gotten involved include writing these blog posts, going to some events on campus, joining organizations, volunteering, getting a job in the industry, and connecting with my peers in my classes as best that I can. I feel much more connected to both the university, and to the industry itself when I get more involved with the program and by working in a library.

These are just a few of the takeaways from my first year at SLIS (and from 2018 overall). This year has been a lot of hard work, but it has paid off, and I’m excited to see what the future holds.

I hope that everyone has a great holiday season!